Broadcasters Question FCC's White Space Conclusion

Not so fast, broadcasters are telling FCC Chairman Kevin Martin.

The National Association of Broadcasters says Martin's support of 'white space' devices is contradicted by the FCC's own engineering report. In a press release yesterday afternoon, the NAB points to a "stark contrast" between the executive summary and the more "pessimistic 149-page report" that was released Wednesday.

"It would appear that the FCC is misinterpreting the actual data collected by their own engineers," said NAB Executive Vice President Dennis Wharton. "Any reasonable analysis of the report would conclude that unlicensed devices that rely solely on spectrum sensing threaten the viability of clear television reception. Basing public policy on an imprecise Cliffs Notes version of a 149-page report raises troubling questions."

On Wednesday, Martin said the report showed that letting wireless devices use empty airwaves between TV stations would not cause interference with neighboring broadcasts. He wants to push for a vote on the issue at the commission's Nov. 4 meeting.

The NAB is calling on the FCC to seek public comment on the report before moving forward.

"With the transition to digital television looming and tens of millions of TV viewers at risk, the stakes are too high for this proposal to be rammed through without thoughtful deliberation," said Wharton.

You can find the executive summary here. And you can check out the report here.